Palma de Mallorca Airport was thrown into turmoil on Tuesday evening as a mysterious drone sighting prompted authorities to implement a full-scale ground stop, creating widespread disruption during one of the busiest travel periods.
The alarming incident unfolded around 9pm local time when air traffic controllers detected an unauthorized unmanned aircraft operating dangerously close to flight paths. In a swift response, all take-offs and landings were immediately suspended, leaving aircraft stranded on the tarmac and incoming flights forced to divert.
Passenger Pandemonium
Hundreds of holidaymakers found themselves caught in the chaos, with many facing indefinite delays and uncertainty about their travel plans. Social media quickly flooded with frustrated posts from stranded passengers as airport announcements provided limited information about the unfolding situation.
"We were just about to board when everything suddenly stopped," recounted one British tourist. "No one could tell us how long we'd be stuck here - it's complete madness."
Security Scramble
Spanish authorities launched an immediate investigation into the drone's origin and operator. Under current aviation regulations, drones are strictly prohibited from operating near airports due to the severe risk they pose to aircraft safety.
Emergency protocols were activated as security teams worked to locate and identify the rogue device. The incident highlights growing concerns about airport vulnerability to drone incursions, following similar disruptions at major airports worldwide.
Gradual Resumption
After approximately 90 minutes of complete suspension, airport officials cautiously began resuming operations. However, the backlog created significant knock-on effects, with delays expected to continue throughout the night.
Aena, the Spanish airport operator, confirmed the incident was caused by "unauthorized drone activity" and emphasised that passenger safety remained their absolute priority throughout the emergency response.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of how quickly modern air travel can be disrupted by emerging security threats, leaving holidaymakers at the mercy of technology they can neither see nor control.
